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Core Bites: Final Saluda Friday Night is today

Published: Friday, November 23, 2012 at 4:30 a.m.

Last Modified: Wednesday, November 21, 2012 at 1:35 p.m.

Final Saluda Friday Night is today

The final Saluda Friday Night of the year is set for today in downtown Saluda.

Starting in August, Saluda businesses extended their hours until 8 p.m. on the fourth Friday of the month, offering diners and tailgate market patrons an opportunity to browse and shop. Business owners tonight will host a Christmas lighting.

On Saturday, the first Saluda Tailgate Holiday Market will be open from 1 to 3 p.m.

There will be more than 20 vendors selling winter produce, holiday wreaths and decorations, jellies, jams and some surprises. The market is in the West Main Street public parking area.

The Transylvania County Arts Council will host a reception for its newest exhibit, "Santa's Palette: Holiday Show & Sale," which runs through Dec. 21. Main Street Ltd. will host a free wine tasting from 5 to 7 p.m.

Other galleries participating include Local Color, Gravy, Gallery on Main and the Drew Deane Gallery. Restaurant supporters of the gallery walks include The Falls Landing, Marco's, Hobnob, Rocky's Grill, The Square Root, Quotations and Phoenix Lounge.

Gallery walks are scheduled for the fourth Friday of every month April through December. (December's gallery walk will be Dec. 21 because of the holidays.)

Call 828-884-2787 or visit www.artsofbrevard.org for more information.

BREVARD

Festival of Trees opens Wednesday

The Festival of Trees, with thousands of lights and colorful decorations framing a display of Christmas trees, will be on display starting Wednesday at the Silvermont Mansion, a 1917 landmark on East Main Street in Brevard.

This is the 22nd year the Children's Center of Transylvania County is staging the event. It is the center's only annual fundraiser, and it draws crowds of visitors to the historic district.

"Our theme this year is ‘The Joy of Christmas,' and we're planning to bring exactly that to children and adults alike," said Kathie Williams, executive director of the Children's Center. In addition to thousands of lights in all colors and brightness, hundreds of ornaments will decorate Silvermont's first-floor rooms.

Williams said festival volunteers have been holding workshops throughout the year. "We've got stars and angels and even Cinderella shoes to hang all about the rooms. It should be spectacular," Williams said.

The star of the festival, though, will be the display of 30 Fraser fir Christmas trees elaborately decorated. Nearly 10,000 lights are strung on the trees in addition to hundreds of ornaments.

Admission is $3, free for children younger than 12.

During the Twilight Tour on Saturday, horse-drawn carriage rides will operate between Silvermont and the downtown area, where the annual Christmas parade will be an afternoon highlight.

"Even though it's a short walk from the center of town to the festival, the carriage ride is a fun way for folks to get there," Williams said.

Polar Express on Dec. 1 at train depot

The Children's Polar Express Storytelling Event is set for 12:30 with a second event at 1:30 p.m. Dec. 1 at the train depot in Hendersonville.

"The Polar Express" story will come alive with a storyteller and Santa Claus, who will be at the depot to lead the children through the story. Each child will experience the magic of the story of a young boy who boards the Polar Express train. Adults will enjoy watching the wonder on the faces of the children as the conductor and a storyteller guide them through the tale.

There will be refreshments provided by Bruce Drysdale Elementary PTO. The Guitar Academy of WNC will entertain the children as they arrive for the event.

The Apple Valley Railroad Club will be there to man the train depot, which will be open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The event is free.

BRCC concert to celebrate season Dec. 1

Blue Ridge Community College will host the annual "Celebrate the Season" concert at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 1 in the Thomas Auditorium in the Sink Building on the Henderson County campus.

The evening of holiday music will begin with Dr. Kevin Ayesh, head of the music department at Blue Ridge Community College since 1992, performing a selection of classical piano works for the holiday season. Ayesh, an award-winning pianist, received his Bachelor of Music degree at the University of Texas at Austin and his master's and doctorate degrees at the University of Maryland.

The evening's entertainment will continue with Classical Strings Trio from the Hendersonville Symphony Orchestra. Pastyme, an a cappella octet, will sing carols in four-part harmony.

Braidstream, a musical ensemble from Asheville, will perform the grand finale. From Celtic to Baltic, classical to the edge of jazz, Braidstream performs an eclectic mix of musical styles, backgrounds and cultures using flute, hammered dulcimer, guitar, sitar, cello, harp, keyboards, vocals and percussion. The group has been performing since 1985 and has been featured in "Christmas at the Biltmore Estate," filmed for HGTV and A&E.

Mark Warwick, general manager of WTZQ AM radio and a member of Blue Ridge Community College Educational Foundation board of directors, will serve as master of ceremonies. The evening will end with a reception in the gallery with holiday treats prepared by Karen Conley of Cuisine Team.

Admission is $10. For more information, call 828-694-1743 or visit marthah@blueridge.edu.

Bands for Bounty fundraiser on Dec. 7

After a three-year lapse, the annual Bands for Bounty fundraiser will resume with a performance from 5 p.m. to midnight Dec. 7 at the new Square Root restaurant, 111 S. Main St., Hendersonville.

This musical event will raise money for the annual Bounty of Bethlehem community feast on Christmas Day in the gymnasium at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church.

Performers will include Jennifer Scott and the Guys from New York, Slow Motion Walter with Russ Wilson and Terry Wetton, Hank Bones, Bruce Lang, Bob Belmont and Nello's Mellow, and a local mystery band.

Corporate sponsors are needed to help with the fundraising for the Bounty of Bethlehem Christmas Day dinner. Call 828-696-9999 for more information or to make a donation.

Junction 280 at Feed & Seed

The Feed & Seed, 3715 Hendersonville Road, Fletcher, hosts weekend shows starting at 7:30 p.m. Following is the November schedule:

<p>Final Saluda Friday Night is today</p><p>The final Saluda Friday Night of the year is set for today in downtown Saluda. </p><p>Starting in August, Saluda businesses extended their hours until 8 p.m. on the fourth Friday of the month, offering diners and tailgate market patrons an opportunity to browse and shop. Business owners tonight will host a Christmas lighting. </p><p>On Saturday, the first Saluda Tailgate Holiday Market will be open from 1 to 3 p.m. </p><p>There will be more than 20 vendors selling winter produce, holiday wreaths and decorations, jellies, jams and some surprises. The market is in the West Main Street public parking area.</p><p>For more information, visit saluda.com.</p><p>BREVARD</p><p>4th Friday Gallery Walk has a holiday theme</p><p>Brevard's downtown art galleries, art spots and restaurants will host the Brevard 4th Friday Gallery Walk beginning at 5 p.m. today.</p><p>The Transylvania County Arts Council will host a reception for its newest exhibit, "Santa's Palette: Holiday Show & Sale," which runs through Dec. 21. Main Street Ltd. will host a free wine tasting from 5 to 7 p.m. </p><p>Other galleries participating include Local Color, Gravy, Gallery on Main and the Drew Deane Gallery. Restaurant supporters of the gallery walks include The Falls Landing, Marco's, Hobnob, Rocky's Grill, The Square Root, Quotations and Phoenix Lounge. </p><p>Gallery walks are scheduled for the fourth Friday of every month April through December. (December's gallery walk will be Dec. 21 because of the holidays.) </p><p>Call 828-884-2787 or visit www.artsofbrevard.org for more information. </p><p>BREVARD</p><p>Festival of Trees opens Wednesday</p><p>The Festival of Trees, with thousands of lights and colorful decorations framing a display of Christmas trees, will be on display starting Wednesday at the Silvermont Mansion, a 1917 landmark on East Main Street in Brevard.</p><p>The event continues through Dec. 2. Hours are 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Wednesday-Nov. 30, 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Dec. 1 and 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Dec. 2. Free coffee will be served on Dec. 2.</p><p>This is the 22nd year the Children's Center of Transylvania County is staging the event. It is the center's only annual fundraiser, and it draws crowds of visitors to the historic district.</p><p>"Our theme this year is 'The Joy of Christmas,' and we're planning to bring exactly that to children and adults alike," said Kathie Williams, executive director of the Children's Center. In addition to thousands of lights in all colors and brightness, hundreds of ornaments will decorate Silvermont's first-floor rooms. </p><p>Williams said festival volunteers have been holding workshops throughout the year. "We've got stars and angels and even Cinderella shoes to hang all about the rooms. It should be spectacular," Williams said.</p><p>The star of the festival, though, will be the display of 30 Fraser fir Christmas trees elaborately decorated. Nearly 10,000 lights are strung on the trees in addition to hundreds of ornaments.</p><p>Admission is $3, free for children younger than 12.</p><p>During the Twilight Tour on Saturday, horse-drawn carriage rides will operate between Silvermont and the downtown area, where the annual Christmas parade will be an afternoon highlight. </p><p>"Even though it's a short walk from the center of town to the festival, the carriage ride is a fun way for folks to get there," Williams said.</p><p>Polar Express on Dec. 1 at train depot</p><p>The Children's Polar Express Storytelling Event is set for 12:30 with a second event at 1:30 p.m. Dec. 1 at the train depot in Hendersonville.</p><p>"The Polar Express" story will come alive with a storyteller and Santa Claus, who will be at the depot to lead the children through the story. Each child will experience the magic of the story of a young boy who boards the Polar Express train. Adults will enjoy watching the wonder on the faces of the children as the conductor and a storyteller guide them through the tale.</p><p>There will be refreshments provided by Bruce Drysdale Elementary PTO. The Guitar Academy of WNC will entertain the children as they arrive for the event.</p><p>The Apple Valley Railroad Club will be there to man the train depot, which will be open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The event is free. </p><p>BRCC concert to celebrate season Dec. 1</p><p>Blue Ridge Community College will host the annual "Celebrate the Season" concert at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 1 in the Thomas Auditorium in the Sink Building on the Henderson County campus.</p><p>The evening of holiday music will begin with Dr. Kevin Ayesh, head of the music department at Blue Ridge Community College since 1992, performing a selection of classical piano works for the holiday season. Ayesh, an award-winning pianist, received his Bachelor of Music degree at the University of Texas at Austin and his master's and doctorate degrees at the University of Maryland.</p><p>The evening's entertainment will continue with Classical Strings Trio from the Hendersonville Symphony Orchestra. Pastyme, an a cappella octet, will sing carols in four-part harmony.</p><p>Braidstream, a musical ensemble from Asheville, will perform the grand finale. From Celtic to Baltic, classical to the edge of jazz, Braidstream performs an eclectic mix of musical styles, backgrounds and cultures using flute, hammered dulcimer, guitar, sitar, cello, harp, keyboards, vocals and percussion. The group has been performing since 1985 and has been featured in "Christmas at the Biltmore Estate," filmed for HGTV and A&E.</p><p>Mark Warwick, general manager of WTZQ AM radio and a member of Blue Ridge Community College Educational Foundation board of directors, will serve as master of ceremonies. The evening will end with a reception in the gallery with holiday treats prepared by Karen Conley of Cuisine Team.</p><p>Admission is $10. For more information, call 828-694-1743 or visit marthah@blueridge.edu.</p><p>Bands for Bounty fundraiser on Dec. 7</p><p>After a three-year lapse, the annual Bands for Bounty fundraiser will resume with a performance from 5 p.m. to midnight Dec. 7 at the new Square Root restaurant, 111 S. Main St., Hendersonville. </p><p>This musical event will raise money for the annual Bounty of Bethlehem community feast on Christmas Day in the gymnasium at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church. </p><p>Performers will include Jennifer Scott and the Guys from New York, Slow Motion Walter with Russ Wilson and Terry Wetton, Hank Bones, Bruce Lang, Bob Belmont and Nello's Mellow, and a local mystery band.</p><p>Corporate sponsors are needed to help with the fundraising for the Bounty of Bethlehem Christmas Day dinner. Call 828-696-9999 for more information or to make a donation.</p><p>Junction 280 at Feed & Seed</p><p>The Feed & Seed, 3715 Hendersonville Road, Fletcher, hosts weekend shows starting at 7:30 p.m. Following is the November schedule:</p><p>u Today: Junction 280</p><p>u Saturday: Whitewater Bluegrass</p><p>u Nov. 29: Beth McKee Band, Cajun/blues and Southern roots</p><p>u Nov. 30: Lorraine Conard Band</p><p>For more information, call 828-216-3492.</p>